Man’s brother charged with murder after early-morning Hastings assault

A dead man’s brother has been charged with murder, with their father blaming drugs for the Hastings stabbing horror.

Police at a crime scene where a man’s body was found in Hastings. Picture: David Crosling

A man killed his older brother in a brutal stabbing on a Hastings street following a “family dispute”, a court has heard.

The alleged motive was aired when Jesse Tovey, 26, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court via videolink on Tuesday charged with the murder of his 29-year-old brother, Joshua.

Police allege a dispute erupted between the pair and Mr Tovey stabbed his older sibling on Arthur St about 7am on Monday.

Joshua Tovey sustained critical upper body injuries.

He managed to stumble 220m to a nearby car park in Queen St, where supermarket workers ran to his side to help.

But he could not be saved.

Joshua Tovey was allegedly killed by his brother in Hastings.

When magistrate Peter Reardon asked of the circumstances of the case and if there were any co-accused, prosecutor Sam Davison said Mr Tovey was the only person charged.

“As I understand it, the accused is the brother of the deceased,” Mr Davison said.

“I understand there was a family dispute. I can’t take it any further than that.”

Lawyer Sally Vardy, for Mr Tovey, requested Mr Tovey be seen by a custody nurse for mental and physical health concerns.

She said her client has a diagnosis of anxiety and depression, in which he requires medication. He is also prescribed medication for a condition relating to joint inflammation.

Mr Tovey sat quietly throughout the virtual hearing, appearing with a mask on from the Melbourne custody centre.

He did not apply for bail and was remanded to return to court in May.

Police at a crime scene where a man’s body was discovered. Picture: David Crosling

Paramedics worked on the man but he couldn’t be saved. Picture: David Crosling

The father of the two men briefly visited the Hastings scene on Monday.

He told the Herald Sun he believed the consumption of dangerous drugs including ice had played a factor in the death of his son, from whom he was estranged.

“Once they’re on ice, that’s it,” the father said.

Homicide squad detectives combed the area on Monday.

Specialised forensic crews took photos and examined for evidence.

Hastings mother Sally-Anne Ward lives just metres from where the man’s body was found.

“I’m rattled,” Ms Ward said. “I’m horrified. I have a very sick feeling.

“We see a lot of people on drugs, twitching around town.”

Homicide detectives are trying to piece together what happened. Picture: David Crosling

The man was found in the carpark of an Ultra Tune car service dealership. Picture: David Crosling

Shoppers said they were “disappointed but not surprised” to find the carpark blocked by police cars and crime scene tape when they arrived to buy groceries.

Steven Luhn, who lives within walking distance of the scene, said violent crime was “sadly, too familiar”.

“There’s a murder around here every year,” Mr Luhn said.

“My neighbours are thinking about moving out.”

[e-mail]